A futuristic video, showing what Jaguar Land Rover’s multi-million pound expansion plans around Whitley could look like, has been produced.

The simulation has been released by Coventry council as the authority today confirmed the Telegraph’s exclusive report that the luxury car manufacturer planned to expand onto a 60-acre site south of the A45 by Coventry airport - creating thousands of jobs.

An estimated £500million will be invested in the area by JLR as it works towards its aim of establishing Coventry as its global research and development ‘brain’.

Half of the new site would be taken up by JLR, while the other would be occupied by the firm’s ‘tier one’ suppliers.

The key to the project is a £40m bid from the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP (CWLEP) to central government which would enable a ‘bow string bridge’ to be built across the A45, linking up the two sites. If successful, the bridge would be delivered by Coventry council.

Artist's impression of planned bridge across the A45 to link up Jaguar Land Rover's expansion plans

The Telegraph understands government business secretary Sajid Javid has already been involved in discussions with JLR about this aspect of the project.

Plans for the expansion are expected to be submitted by February 8 and approval is expected by the summer, unless they are called in by the secretary of state due to the site currently being designated as green belt. Council officials believe that is now less likely as the area is earmarked to be taken out of the green belt in Warwick District Council’s local plan.

Once approved, bosses are hopeful work can begin before the end of the year. The plans are expected to take 18 months to deliver - and the council insists disruption to the road network will be minimal.

He said: “We’re confident our bid for the funding needed for the infrastructure will be recognised by the government as another signal of the LEP’s effective use of public funding on infrastructure projects.

“These have opened up key sites to allow private industry to deliver investment, growth and jobs.

“This funding should therefore reinforce Chancellor George Osborne’s recent comments about the strength of this area with the government recognising the work of the LEP and our partners.

“At the same time, we are not relaxing, we know there is still plenty more to do to keep driving our local economy forward.”

Jaguar Land Rover will carry out public consultation on the scheme between January 21 and 23. Local people will also be able to have their say on the planning application when it is submitted.